Enable two-way texting on your vcita account to send text messages to your clients and receive text replies! With a dedicated SMS number for your business, clients can have a natural conversation with your business via mobile.

Activate Two Way Texting

To start texting clients, you will first need to activate the setting in your account.

1. Navigate to Settings > Auto Client Messages and SMS.
2. Switch to the SMS Settings tab.
3. Enable the two-way texting radio button and click on Get two-way texting.
4. Your account will immediately be assigned a phone number. This is the dedicated SMS number that your messages will be sent to and from.
   Note: You should see an SMS number that starts off with a +1800 number ie +1 833...

5. Click Save at the top of the page to save your changes.

Texting your clients

Once activated, you can freely send text messages to clients via any method that you would normally use to communicate. 

One of the easiest ways to initiate a new text message to a client is from your Quick Actions menu. 

1. Initiate a new message from Quick actions > New message.
2. Select Text message as your channel (you will only be able to select this option if the client has a phone number).

3. Type in your message and send it.

You may also message clients right from the client card. Just click on the icon next to the input box to choose between sending your message via text or email.

You can easily tell which messages were sent or received via SMS thanks to the handy SMS indicator under the message in the conversation.

Your client will receive the text message from your dedicated SMS number.

Receiving text messages from clients

You will receive text message responses to your transactional messages - that means any message that isn't a marketing automated campaign or announcement. 

If you get a new text message from a client, it will appear in your Inbox and in the client card Conversation tab. If enabled, you will also get a notification on the vcita mobile phone app.

Lead Generation from SMS

A new client is created every time you receive a message from a phone number that isn't associated with any clients in your Clients list. This is a great way to generate leads - just invite prospective clients to text your dedicated SMS number with a query or if they would like to hear more.

Follow-up with new leads by messaging them back or target them with marketing campaigns. 

Deactivate Two Way Texting

To deactivate two-way texting, return to your SMS settings:

1. Navigate to Settings > Auto Client Messages and SMS.
2. Switch to the SMS Settings tab.
3. Select one of the other options: either enable the 'do not reply auto message' or 'no auto reply'.
4. Save your changes.

After deactivating, you can no longer receive text messages from your clients.

FAQs

Q: Will my number have a local area code?

A: The number provided will be a 800 number at this time.  

Q: Am I charged for texts that I receive from clients?

A: No - only sending a text message will deduct from your balance. For more information on pricing and SMS usage, refer to this article.

Q: I don't see the two-way texting option in my account. What do I do?

A: Make sure you are on the Platinum package. If you are on platinum and still do not see an option to activate two-way texting, please verify that your country is eligible for auto-registration.